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The man who assaulted and raped a homeless woman in Albufeira has refugee status and comes from Eritrea.
The Eritrean, 38, was arrested by South Directorate of the Judicial Police and was found to be part of a group of 15 refugees who arrived in Portugal in late October.
Ibrahim Salem, entered Portugal on 28 October and was hosted by the Foundation Antonio Silva Leal, in Albufeira, along with other refugees who were stranded in Italy.
At dawn on Thursday, he approached the victim, 67, who was sheltering from the cold at the entrance of a bank branch in downtown Albufeira.
"Through the use of physical force, he undressed her partially and due to the victim's resistance he attacked her, and caused facial and nasal fractures."
The victim was rescued by firefighters from Albufeira and INEM and brought to the hospital of Faro.
Minutes after the crime, the offender was caught by a 21 year old, who managed to immobilise him until the arrival of GNR.
The police took steps to confirm the assault and rape.
The man was taken into custody by order of a judge.